Telephone toll apparatus.



No.678,633. Patented luly I6, |90l. E. P. BAIRD.

TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

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,juf j I? Edward 4 Iren! Gel-[agb N0. 678,633. Patented .hily I6, l90l. E P. BAIBD.

TELEPHNE TOLL APPARATUS.

(Application led Feb. 20, 1901.)

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TELEPHUNE TDLL APPARATUS.

(Apphcatxon led Feb 20 1901 (No Model.)

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EDVARD P. BAIRD, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BAIRI) MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE TOLL APPARATUS.

SFECKFEGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,638, dated July 16, 1901.

Application filed February 20, 1901. Serial No. 481138- (NO Ulflel) T0 @ZZ wwm t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. BAIRD, a resident of the city of Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Telephone Toll Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to devices used for receiving tolls in payment of telephone-service. i

The objects of the invention are to provide an improved construction of carrier for shifting a coin or token to cause the actua-tion of a signal device, to provide an improved signal device, to provide a muffler for a soundyielding body which prevents extended vibration of said body to avoid confusion of the audible signals when given in rapid succession, to provide a positively-operated ejector for removing the coins or tokens from the carrier after the signal device has been actuated, and lastly to improve the construction of devices of this class.

Vit-h these objects in view one feature of the invention consists in forming the coincarrier from a single piece of sheet metal.

Still another feature of the invention consists in providing a flexible strip having a part thereof securely held and a yielding part projecting into the path of a movable part which engages and bends the strip and then suddenly releases the free or yielding part of the strip to effect its vibration, said strip being formed so theresultant vibration of said strip will inherently produce an audible signal.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing a muffler for restricting the duration of the vibration of the sound-yielding body.

A still further feature of the invention con'- sists in providing means for positively ejecting the coin from the carrier after the signal device has been actuated; and the invention consists also in the several novel features hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section takenion line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view, parts of the case being removed and shown in section. Fig. 4E is a plan view, the case being shown in section and parts being omitted. Fig. 5 is a detail View, in vertical section, taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4 and shows the improved ejector. Fig. 6 is a detail view, in vertical section, taken on line 6 6 of Fig. e and shows the improved mufrler. Fig. 7 is a View in vertical section on line 7 7 of Fig. 4 and shows the carrier with a coin therein in position assumed during the downward shift of the carrier. Fig. 8 is a view in vertical section, on line S 8 of Fig. 1l, of a carrier with a coin therein in partially-depressed position.` Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the coin-can riers. Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view showing the bottom of one of the coin-carriers and the stop therein. Fig. 1l is a section on line 1l 1l ofFig. l0. Fig. l2 is a similar view showing a slightlymodified form of stop. Fig. 13 is a view in vertical section of the chute or guide for directing the rejected coins to the outside of the case, the coin-carriers being shown in rear elevation and parts being omitted for clearness.

A denotes a suitableinclosing casing `wherein the several mechanisms are secured, and said casing comprises a front wall ct, side walls c and a2, and a cover-plate A', which is secured to the walls of casing in usual or any convenient manner. In practice the case is `usually secured to a backboard or other suitable part of a telephone set,whereto the transmitter is connected for the purpose of conducting audible signals through the transmitter and over the line to the operatorI at the centralv station. The case is preferably secured to a backboard or other suitable support by screws 2O and 2l.

,Within the case a series (corresponding in number with the different denominations of coins which are to be accepted in payment of tolls) of coin-carriers are movably sustained. In the construction shown in the drawings three carriers C, D, and E are employed to receive coins of three different denominations or sizes. Carriers C, D, and E are designed,

respectively, to receive and retain a five-cent piece, a dime, and a twentyfivecent piece. Each carrier is arranged to shift a coin and cause the coin to effect the actuation of a signal device. The several signal devices produce signals which are distinctively dierent in character to avoid the possibility of error on the part of the operator at the central station in ascertaining the denomination of the coins deposited in the several carriers. Carrier C serves to shift a live-cent piece to actuate a gong 60, carrier D serves to shift a deposited dime to actuate buzzer H, and carrier E serves to shift a twenty-five-cent piece to actuate a bell 63. By employing these signal devices which produce signals which are essentially different in character the operator at central station can readily distinguish between them and ascertain the denomination of the deposited coins. The carriers are pivotally sustained on a cross-shaft 26, which is secured in the side walls a and a2 of the case.

Each of the carriers is formed of a piece of sheet metal bent -to form a bottom or front wall 27, sides 28 28, upper or back wall 29, between which a coin will be held, a vertical flange 30 and a lever 32, having holes therein wherethrough cross-shaft 26 extends, and wings 35 and 36. Each carrier is arranged normallyinaninclined position,with the front or upper end immediately beneath a slot 4l in the top plate A' of the case, through which coins to be deposited in payment of toll are inserted. Each lever 32 is extended through a long slot 33 in the top plate of the case and is provided at its upper end with a finger-piece 34. Wings 35 obstruct slots 41 while a carrier is out of its normal position and prevent the insertion of a coin or slug directly into the case while the carrier is being shifted and permit a coin to be inserted only when the carrier is in normal position.l Wings 35 and 36 serve to close lever-slots 33 at all times and prevent the insertion of a coin or'slug into the case. Coil-springs 37 are conveniently located on cross-shaft 26 and serve to hold the carriers in normal position, as seen in Fig. 2. Each carrier is held normally against a fixed stop a4, formed on the top plate A, by a spring 37, one terminal whereof impinges against a suitable part of the carrier, while the other end thereof is held by the case. Springs 37 serve to restore the carriers to normal position after said carriers have been depressed to discharge the coin.

Between the walls and sides of each carrier a coin channel or guide 40 is formed. A stop F in each carrier holds a coin of proper size in position in the carrier to effect the actuation of a signal. These stops are preferably formed by indenting one of the side walls of the carrier and are arranged near the periphery of a coin of proper size to engage the edge of such a coin (see Fig. 10) and to allow a coin of lesser diameter to pass through coin-channel 40 without being held in the carrier. The coin channel or guide 40 is eX- tended entirely through the carrier, soa coin which is too small to be held by stop F will pass therethrough. By reference to Fig. 1l

it will be seen that the lower portion of stop Fis cutaway, as shown at f. The carriers are positioned normally at an incline, so a deposited coin of proper size will rest on the bottom 27 of one of the carriers. Vhen the stop F is cut away, as shown at f, a coin or token which is less than acceptable thickness will not be held in the carrier by stop F, but will pass through the coin-channel 40. When coins are to be distinguished by diameter alone, the stop F will extend between walls 27 and 29, as seen in the modified construction shown in Fig. 12.

A runway 43 is located beneath the normally-extending lower ends of the coin-channels 40 of the carriers C, D, and E, and into this runway or chute the rejected coins will fall and be directed through an exit-opening 44 in the case and to a cup 45, which is outside of the case, where the rejected coins will be within reach of and returned to the depositor. A supplemental guide 43a prevents a coin or slug which has passed through coinchannel 40 of carrier C from striking gong 60. The purpose of this construction of `coinchannel and of returning the rejected coins or slugs to the depositor is to provide a de` vice which will retain only coins or tokens of acceptable size and return such as are not acceptable in payment of toll to the depositor. The stops can be formed to distinguish to a nicety between coins or tokens of acceptable and inacceptable size. For example, coins which have become worn are rejected by the device without injustice to the depositor. Sometimes through inadvertence a small coin is placed in a slot for larger coins, and the present machine would return such coin to the depositor and all cause of complaint on the part of the depositor is avoided.

The bottom or front wall 27 of each carrier is cut away or notched, as at 46, to expose a sufficient portion of a coin held in channel 40 to insure the engagement of the coin and signal-operatingpart. Acorrespondingspace is formed between fiange 30 and lever 32, which permits it to expose a portion of a coin. It will be understood from the description of parts thus far defined that when a coin of proper size has been deposited into one of the carriers the depositor will pull the corresponding lever forwardly, and such shift of the carrier and coin will actuate a signal device in a manner which will hereinafter more fully appear. v

The signal-actuating parts are sustained by a cross-rod 50, secured in the sides of the case. Opposite notch 46 in carrier C a striker-'lever 51 is pivotally sustained by cross-rod 50. Lever 5l is provided with astriker 52 at its lower end, an arm 53, held normally against top plate A' by a suitable spring 54, and an arm or extension 51a, arranged to be engaged bya coin in carrier C. At one side of the strikerlever 5l and upon cross-rod 50 a dog 56, having its inner edge provided with ratchet-teeth 57 and having an upward extension or arm 58,

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downwardly.

crasse held normally against top plate A by a suit! able spring 59, is pivotally sustained and is arranged normally and yieldingly held in the path of movement of a coin in carrier C. The yielding dog 56 engages the coin as the carrier is depressed and before the striker-lever is shifted permits the coin to be moved downwardlyand prevents the retraction of the coin and carrier and the repeated operation of the lever by a single coin. A gong 60 is secured to one of the side walls of the case in proper position to be engaged by striker 52 after the striker-lever is shifted forwardly by a coin in carrier C and returned to its normal position by spring 5l. In practice a gong has been found to produce a very loud, clear, and distinct signal of considerable duration. It has also been found that the vibration of the gong and resultant signal frequently continued for such a period that the succeeding operation of the other signals was interfered with, at least so as to result in confusion. A device for mufliing or restricting the vibration ofthe gong is provided which prevents this extended vibration, and thus avoids confusion of the signals when these are operated in rapid succession. This device comprises an arm 8l, sustained by crossshaft 26,which is provided with a muffler SO, of felt, rubber, or other material, which will not actuate the gong when brought in contact therewith. Arm 8l is formed of a strip of elastic wire coiled around shaft 26 and is provided with a terminal or arm 82, engaging carrier O. Said arm 8l is arranged to hold muffler S0 in contact with gong 60 when the carrier is in normal position (see Fig. 6) and is also arranged to be lifted away from the gong while the carrier is depressed and the gong is being actuated and until the carrier has been restored to normal position.

The operation of the carrier C and the signal device actuated by coins deposited in said carrier will be as follows: A coin or token of proper size insertedV through corresponding coin-slot al will be held in said carrier by stop F, with its upper or front edge projecting forwardly or upwardly and exposed. The user of the telephone will then pull the lever 32 of carrier G forwardly, and such shift will cause the carrier and coin therein to travel rThe projecting edge or eX- posed portion of the coin-t1 c., the portion adjacent notch 4G--will then engage teeth 57 of yielding dog 56 and also ride along arm 5l and shift striker-lever 5l against the force of spring 54C until the coin passes beneath dog 56 and arm 51a. The striker-lever 5l will then be released and under force of spring 54 the striker 52 will strike gong 60 and produce an audible signal, which will be conducted by the support whereto case A is secured and the transmitter of the telephone set and over the line, thus notifying the operator at the central office that a coin of acceptable size and correct denomination has been deposited. After the coin has passed beneath dog 56 and arm 5ln the coin will be discharged from the carrier and into a suitable eoin receptacle or drawer B. During the downward shift of the carrier the upper wall 29 of carrier C will engage, as at 84E, muffler-arm 8l and lift the muiier 8O away from gong 60 and hold the mufier away from the gong until after the signal has been actuated. Then the carrier is returned to normal position, the muffler willengage gong 60 and prevent the further vibration thereof, and, furthermore, will prevent the gong from being actuated by a blow against the case.

The signal device for notifying the opera tor at the central office thatacoin of acceptable size and of denomination designed to be deposited bycarrier D has been inserted consists of a fiexible strip H, having one of its terminals secured to the front wall of the case, as at h, and having a free terminal h bent into position to be engaged by the eX- posed portion of a coin held in carrier D. The operation of this signal device is as follows: As carrier D, with a coin therein, is depressed, the exposed portion or projecting edge of the coin will engage free terminal h of the flexible strip and distend such strip until the coin passes beneath such free terminal, when the free terminal will be suddenly released and by reason of its inherent elasticity will vibrate rapidly. Such vibration will produce an audible signal of limited duration similar to that of the familiar buzzer,. and thus notify the operator at the central office that a coin of acceptable size and denomination has been received through car rier D.

The signal device operated by a coin deposited into carrier E is similar to that operated by carrier C, except that a bell 63 is arranged in position to be actuated to produce a signal. The signal-operating mechanism for bell 63 comprises a dog 64C, astriker-lever 65, a striker 66, a spring 67for shifting said striker and lever to actuate the bell, and a spring 68 for holding dog 64 normally in the path of movement of a coin in carrier E. The construction and arrangement of this signaloperatiug mechanism are similar to those described in connection with carrier C, and it has not therefore been deemed necessary to describe and illustrate this mechanism in detail. It will be understood, however, that when a coin of acceptable size has been deposited in carrier E and said carrier is depressed dog 6l will prevent retraction of the carrier or coin until the coin has been discharged and striker-lever 65 will be shifted and released to cause striker 66 to engage bell 63 and produce an audible signal, which will notify the operator at the central office that a coin of acceptable size and of proper denomination has been deposited through carrier E.

In practice it has been found that in distinguishing to a nicety between coins which should be accepted and rejected the stop F must engage that portion of the edge of a coin IIO nearest the sides of the carrier, since otherwise coins approximating the size of the genuine coins would be held in the carrier and would not be rejected. For example, a Canadian twenty-cent piece is but slightly less in diameter than a twenty-live cent piece. In order to provide a stop which will hold the latter and not the former, the stop must be arranged to engage the larger coin very close to the portions of the coin adjacent the sides of the carrier. In thus arranging the stop to make the tineness of distinction desired it has been found that occasionally a coin will become lodged in the carrier and will not gravitate when the carrier is inserted and the signal has been actuated. As a result the carrier could not be restored to normal position and could not be used until the coin was dislodged. To effectively guard against such lodgment of a coin, the carrier E is provided with an ejector-arm 85, which is carried by a t rock-shaft 86, which is pivotally sustained in the vertical wings or flanges of the carrier. To the outer end of rock-shaft 86 a slotted arm 87 is secured. A fixed pin 88, fitting in slot S9 of arm 87, guides arm 87 and serves to position the ejector-arm during the shift of the carrier. The ejector-arm isarranged normally out of the coin-channel, so th at a rejected coin can pass through the carrier and into runway 43, and is also arranged to engage the normally lower or rear edge of the coin about the time the signal is being actuated, and thus positively eject the coin from the receiving end of the carrier. In operation as the carrierD is swung downward ly the rock-shaft 86 will travel downwardly therewith, and arm 87 will during such shift rock shaft S6 sufficiently to cause arm 85 to sweep into the coin-channel and engage the rear edge of the coin, thus dislodging the coin and ejecting it from the channel, so that the carrier is free to be restored to norm al position in readiness for operation. Manifestly such ejector will supplement the force of gravity and will in all instances prevent lodgment of a coin in carrier E. If necessary, arm 85 or arm 87 can be made slightly elastic to prevent breakage of the signal-actuating parts, which might oocurif arm 85 were arranged to positively shift the coin before said parts had been released.

The term coin y is to be understood as including any token or device used in payment of tolls.

channel unobstructed for coins 0f inacceptable size or slugs, serves to dislodge coins by positive shift of the coin away from the coinstop.

Vhile the several features of the invention are shown as applied to a device in which a plurality of carriers are employed, it is manifest that the novel features, or either of them, may be employed severally in a device in which but a single carrier is used.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the particular construction shown and described, but may be varied within wide limits, and the several features thereof may be employed severally without adoption in entirety and without departing from the spirit of the invention. I do not wish, however, to be understood as claiming herein any .features claimed in an application tiled by me July 2, 1900, Serial No. 22,248.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A toll apparatus provided with a coincontrolled signal device, comprising a flexible strip havinga part thereof securely held and having a yielding part projecting into the path of a movable part which first engages and bends said strip and then suddenly releases the free or yielding part of the strip to effect its vibration, said strip being formed so the resultant vibration of said strip caused by its sudden release, will inherently produce an audible signal.

2. In toll apparatus for telephones, the combination with a case, of a carrier movably held therein, a coin channel or guide in said carrier wherein a coin will be held, of a signal device formed of a flexible strip having one terminal securely held and a free terminal projecting into the path of a movable part which iirst engages and bends said strip and then suddenly releases the free terminal to effect its vibration, said strip being formed so the resultant vibration of said strip caused by its sudden release will inherentlyproduce an audible signal.

3. In a toll apparatus for telephones, the combination with a case, a carrier movably sustained therein, and a coin channel or guide in said carrier wherein a coin will be held, of. a signal device formed of a flexible strip having one terminal securely held, and a free terminal arranged to be engaged and bent by the edge of a coin in said carrier during the shift thereof, and then suddenly released to effect its vibration, said strip being formed so the resultant vibration of said strip caused byits release will inherently produce an audible signal.

4. In a toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a movably-sustained carrier for shifting a coin or token to actuate said device, said carrier being formed of a sheet of metal bent to form walls between which a coin channel or guide IOC IIC

is formed, a stop in said channel or guide for positioning a coin to aetuate said device when said carrier is shifted, and means whereby said carrier may be shifted.

5. In a toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a pivotally-sustained carrier for shifting a coin or token to actuate said device, said carrier being formed of asheet of metal bent to form walls between which a coin channel or guide is formed, a stop formed by indenting one of said walls, said stop serving to position a coin to actuate said device when said carrier is shifted, and means whereby said carrier may be shifted.

6. In atoll-receiverfortelephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a carrier for shifting a coin or token to actuate said device, said carrier being formed of a sheet of metal bent to form walls between which a coin channel or guide is formed, and bent to form iianges wherethrough a shaft is extended to form a pivotal support for said carrier, and a stop in said channel or guide for positioning a coin to actuate said signal device when said carrier is shifted, and means whereby said carrier may be shifted.

7. In a toll-receiver for telephones,com prising the combination with a signal device, of a carrier for shifting a coin to actuate said device, said carrier being formed of a sheet of metal bent to form walls between which a coin channel or guide is formed, and bent to form a iiange Wherethrongh a shaft is extended io form a pivotal support for said carrier, one of said riianges being extended to form a lever whereby said carrier may be shifted, and a stop for positioning a coin to actuate said signal device when said carrier is shifted.

8. In atoll-receiver for telephones,co1npris ing the combination with a signal device, of a carrier for shifting a coin ortoken to actuate said device, said carrier being formed of a sheet of metal bent to form walls between which a coin channel or guide is formed, and bent to form fianges wherethrough a shaft is extended to form a pivotal support for said carrier, and a stop in said channel or guide for positioning a coin to actuate said signal device when said carrier is shifted, said stop being formed by indenting one of said walls, and means, whereby said carrier may be shifted.

9. In a toll-receiverfor telephones,compris ing the combination with a signal device, of a carrier for shifting a coin to actua te said device, said carrier being formed of a sheet of metal bent to form Walls between which a coin channel or guide is formed, and bent to form a flange wherethrough a shaft is extended to form a pivotal support for said carrier, one of said flanges being extended to form a lever whereby said carrier may be shifted, and a stop for positioning a coin to actuate said signal device when said carrier is shifted, said stop being formed by indenting one of said Walls.

10. In a toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a carrier for shifting a coin or token to actuate said device, said carrier being formed of a sheet of metal bent to form walls between which a coin channel or guide is formed, and bent to form flanges wherethrough a shaft is extended to form a pivotal support for said carrier, said sheet of metal being bent also to form a wing arranged to close the slot through which coins are inserted, and a stop in said channel or guide for positioning a coin to actuate said signal device 'when said carrier may be shifted.

11. In a toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a carrier for shifting a coin to actuate said device, said carrier being formed of a sheet of metal bent to form walls between which a coin channel or guide is formed, and bent to form a fiange wherethrough a shaft is extended to form a pivotal support for said carrier, one of said flanges being extended to form a lever whereby said carrier may be shifted and Wings for closing the lever-slot and receiving-slot, and a stop for positioning a coin to actuate said signal device when said carrier is shifted.

l2. In a toll-receiver for telephones,the coinbination with a body for producing an audible signal and coin-controlled means for actuating said body to produce a signal, of a muffler for restricting the duration of the vibration of said body. y

13. In a tollreceiver for telephones,the com= bination with a body for producing an audible signal,and mechanism for actuating said body to produce a signal, of a carrier for shifting a deposited coin, and a mufiier for restricting the duration of the vibration of said body, said muffler being arranged to be shifted to and from said body during the shift of said carrier.

14. In a toll-receiver for telephones,the combination with a body for producing an audible signal, and mechanism for actuating said body, to produce asignal,of a carrier for shifting a deposited coin to cause the operation of said mechanism, anda mufiier arranged to be shifted to and from said body by a part on said IOO IIO

carrier, and during the shift of said carrier.

15. In a toll-receiver for telephones,the,com bination with a body for producing an audible signal, and mechanism for actuating said body to produce a signal, of a carrier for shift ing a deposited coin to cause the operation of said mechanism, and a mufiier normally engaging said body when said carrier is in normal position, and means for shifting said muffler to and from said body during the shift of said carrier.

16. A toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a movable carrier for receiving and shifting a deposited coin or token to cause the actuation of the signal device, said carrier having a coin channel or guide therein wherein a coin will bo held, and an ejector for positively removing the coin or token from the carrier.

17. A toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a movable carrier for receiving and shifting a deposited coin or token to cause the act-uation of said signal device, said carrier having a coin channel or guide therein wherein a coin will be held,and an ejector for positively removing the coin or token from the carrier, said ejector being arranged normally and substanti-ally out of the coin-channel to permit an inacceptable coin or token to pass through said channel or guide.

18. A toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a movable carrier for receiving and shifting a deposited coin or token to cause the actuation of said signal device, said carrier having a coin channel or guide therein wherein a coin will be held, and an ejector for positively removing the coin or token from the carrier, said ejector comprising an arm arranged to engage the. coin when the signal device has been operated, and positively discharge the coin from the carrier.

19. A toll-receiver for telephones, comprising the combination with a signal device, of a pivotally-sustained carrier for receiving and shifting a deposited coin or token, said carrier having a coin channel or guide therein, wherein a coin or token will be held in position to cause the actuation of said signal device, and an ejector for positively removing the coin or token from the carrier, said ejector comprising an arm carried by and movable with the carrier.

n EDWARD P. BAIRD.

Witnesses:

FRED GERLACH, ToRRIs H. ALFoRDs. 

